Sen. André Jacque

Maddy summarySB 810 increases the state reimbursement rate for certified veteran organizations providing military funeral honors from $50 to $100 per funeral. It directly affects local veteran groups certified by the department that offer these honors to eligible individuals. The bill amends statute 45.60(2) to update the reimbursement cap while maintaining the requirement that costs must be covered by the department from a specific appropriation. This is a procedural change to the existing reimbursement policy with no new eligibility criteria.

Maddy summarySB 134 extends the deadline for military-connected families to apply for school enrollment after a residency change due to military orders. It changes the requirement from a 30-day window to 90 days after receiving military orders, including orders from the National Guard, Reserve, or state defense forces. This directly affects service members and their dependents seeking to enroll children in public schools following a permanent relocation. The bill modifies existing statute 118.51(3m)(b)4 to provide more time for applications, ensuring families have sufficient opportunity to complete enrollment processes after a military assignment.

Maddy summarySB 387 amends state license and ID laws to allow veterans to indicate their service status on driver's licenses or state ID cards. It defines eligible veterans as former U.S. armed forces members discharged honorably, or reserve/guard members who completed their service with honorable conditions. This change directly affects veterans applying for or renewing licenses/ID cards in this state. The bill updates specific sections of the law (343.14 and 343.17) to implement this requirement, with no new benefits or costs specified.

Maddy summarySB 379 creates a $2,000 refundable individual income tax credit for Wisconsin parents who experience a stillbirth (defined as a birth requiring a fetal death report under state law). The credit applies to the taxable year of the stillbirth and is refundable, meaning parents who owe less in taxes than $2,000 will receive the difference as a cash payment from the state. Eligibility requires being a Wisconsin resident filing a joint or separate return, with specific limits: $2,000 total for married couples filing jointly, $1,000 each for unmarried parents or separate returns. Proof of eligibility, such as a fetal death report, must be submitted with the tax return.

Maddy summarySB 798 establishes a "wetland assured delineation program" that allows certified professionals to identify wetland boundaries for development projects without requiring final government confirmation. To qualify, professionals must meet specific education/experience requirements (e.g., bachelor’s degree with 5 years’ field experience) and submit reports by March 15 annually. This program directly affects land developers, environmental consultants, and property owners needing wetland assessments, as certified delineators’ work will carry the same legal weight as government-verified reports under state law. The bill also extends deadlines for emergency rule procedures and grants the Department of Natural Resources authority to implement program rules.

Maddy summarySB 785 requires the Department of Public Instruction to create a free online portal on its website where the public can search license holder information. The portal must include the names of license holders under investigation, the outcome of investigations (including voluntary license surrender), and the names of individuals who had licenses revoked. This applies to license holders regulated by the state superintendent (such as educators or professionals) and ensures transparency about ongoing or completed investigations. The bill mandates that the department post these details in the portal, replacing current confidentiality practices for investigation status during proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 225 exempts amusement rides installed at licensed campgrounds from certain existing safety regulations. Specifically, it creates a new statute (101.05 (7)) stating that sections 101.02 (15), 101.12 (1), and 101.17 (1) do not apply to rides meeting manufacturer-recommended standards at campgrounds licensed under section 97.67. This directly affects campground operators who install such rides, removing requirements from other safety codes. The bill’s key provision is the regulatory exemption based on manufacturer standards rather than broader state safety rules.

Maddy summarySB 474 adds soybean-derived fire suppression products to the list of eligible costs for state fire grant programs. This means local fire departments and municipalities can now use state grant funds to purchase fire suppressants made from soybeans, rather than only traditional chemical-based products. The bill directly affects grant recipients by expanding their funding options for fire safety equipment under existing state grant programs. It creates a specific policy change without altering other grant requirements or imposing new costs.

Maddy summarySB 78 modifies labeling and testing rules for fertilizers and soil additives made from manure compost or vermicompost. It allows producers to use "typical analysis" (an average nutrient analysis) instead of the standard "guaranteed analysis" for claims about plant nutrients and beneficial substances on labels. The bill also exempts these compost-based products from a requirement that mixed fertilizers must contain at least 24% combined nitrogen, phosphate, and potash. This simplifies regulatory compliance for producers of compost-derived soil and plant products.

Maddy summarySB 576 creates a property tax exemption for specific prefabricated recreational structures used in licensed campgrounds. It defines these structures as prefabricated units designed to be towed, used primarily for temporary living (like camping or seasonal stays), and located on land not owned by the structure owner. The bill requires the state to reimburse municipalities starting in 2027 for property taxes collected on these structures for 2025 assessments, based on reports from local governments. This directly affects campground owners and renters of these temporary recreational structures, shifting tax responsibility from property owners to the state. The exemption applies to structures meeting the new definition in Section 70.11(49), excluding permanent mobile homes or other taxable property.